Cyclone Ita: Part 4 – The scene that met them

Wednesday 16 April, Cairns.

The team at Lizard Island is in good spirits, buoyed in no small part by the news that so many people are wishing them well.

They have sent photos taken soon after they arrived. I clearly misunderstood the initial sat phone communication. They didn’t have to wade through the lagoon at all – it was really low tide so it was an easy walk! The photos show many areas of minor building damage as expected, including broken glass louvres, at least one door ripped from its hinges, twisted fans, missing light fittings and broken wall sheets.

Normal services to the island will not be resuming any time soon. We hope to be able to accept booked visits from June onwards but that will depend upon making different access arrangements. We will be in touch with those concerned about that next week when we may have more information.

I am going to Sydney for at least the next few days and will be in contact as usual through the Australian Museum website and most of the usual email addresses. I am not able to access the email address that includes my name.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is very keen to get a report about cyclone impacts on the reef and a boat will be heading up there soon for that purpose. The LIRS team has not yet been into the water. I will post again when we have some information about condition of the reefs.